What are the clinical manifestations of digitalis toxicity?
Nov 28, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the clinical manifestations of digitalis toxicity include gastrointestinal reactions, arrhythmias, neurological and psychiatric symptoms, visual disturbances, and hyperkalemia. Once symptoms of digitalis toxicity are identified, administration of digitalis drugs should be immediately discontinued, and prompt medical consultation is necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Rapid elimination of digitalis from the body should be initiated, and symptomatic and supportive treatments should be provided according to the patient's condition.
Generally, the clinical manifestations of digitalis toxicity include gastrointestinal reactions, arrhythmias, neurological and psychiatric symptoms, visual disturbances, and hyperkalemia. If discomfort symptoms occur, timely medical consultation at a hospital is recommended for standardized treatment under a physician's guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Gastrointestinal Reactions
Gastrointestinal reactions are common early symptoms of digitalis toxicity. Patients may experience nausea, vomiting, acid regurgitation, heartburn, and abdominal pain, particularly periumbilical colicky pain. Additionally, patients may exhibit poor appetite and reduced food intake. These symptoms are typically caused by digitalis drugs irritating the gastrointestinal mucosa, leading to impaired gastrointestinal function.
2. Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are the most dangerous symptoms of digitalis toxicity. They mainly present as frequent ventricular premature contractions. In severe cases, ventricular bigeminy, trigeminy, and atrioventricular conduction block may also occur. Patients may perceive sudden acceleration or slowing of the heart rate and may even develop severe symptoms such as atrial fibrillation. These symptoms may be due to digitalis drugs inhibiting the sodium-potassium pump activity of myocardial cell membranes, leading to elevated intracellular potassium ion concentrations.
3. Neurological and Psychiatric Symptoms
Digitalis toxicity may also cause neurological and psychiatric changes, such as drowsiness, dizziness, headache, transient visual blurring, and sudden falls. In severe cases, patients may develop transient consciousness disturbances, such as confusion and delirium, likely due to central nervous system dysfunction caused by digitalis toxicity, leading to neurological damage.
4. Visual Disturbances
Digitalis toxicity may also alter vision and visual acuity, such as causing xanthopsia (yellow vision), chloropsia (green vision), and diplopia (double vision). These disturbances may be due to damage to the optic nerve caused by digitalis toxicity.
5. Hyperkalemia
Digitalis toxicity may also trigger hyperkalemia, which results from increased release of intracellular potassium ions due to digitalis poisoning. Hyperkalemia may cause a series of symptoms including muscular dysfunction and weakness, and in severe cases, it can even be life-threatening.
Once symptoms of digitalis toxicity are identified, administration of digitalis drugs should be immediately discontinued, and prompt medical attention should be sought for diagnosis and treatment. Rapid elimination of digitalis from the body should be initiated, and symptomatic and supportive treatments should be provided according to the patient's condition.
